Posthumus Leonatus. Not any, but abide the change of time,
1175Quake in the present winter's state and wish
That warmer days would come: in these sear'd hopes,
I barely gratify your love; they failing,
I must die much your debtor.

Philario. Your very goodness and your company
1180O'erpays all I can do. By this, your king
Hath heard of great Augustus: Caius Lucius
Will do's commission throughly: and I think
He'll grant the tribute, send the arrearages,
Or look upon our Romans, whose remembrance
1185Is yet fresh in their grief.

Posthumus Leonatus. I do believe,
Statist though I am none, nor like to be,
That this will prove a war; and you shall hear
The legions now in Gallia sooner landed
1190In our not-fearing Britain than have tidings
Of any penny tribute paid. Our countrymen
Are men more order'd than when Julius Caesar
Smiled at their lack of skill, but found
their courage
1195Worthy his frowning at: their discipline,
Now mingled with their courages, will make known
To their approvers they are people such
That mend upon the world.

Posthumus Leonatus. All is well yet.
1220Sparkles this stone as it was wont? or is't not
Too dull for your good wearing?

Iachimo. If I had lost it,
I should have lost the worth of it in gold.
I'll make a journey twice as far, to enjoy
1225A second night of such sweet shortness which
Was mine in Britain, for the ring is won.

Posthumus Leonatus. Make not, sir,
Your loss your sport: I hope you know that we
Must not continue friends.

Iachimo. Good sir, we must,
If you keep covenant. Had I not brought
1235The knowledge of your mistress home, I grant
We were to question further: but I now
Profess myself the winner of her honour,
Together with your ring; and not the wronger
Of her or you, having proceeded but
1240By both your wills.

Posthumus Leonatus. If you can make't apparent
That you have tasted her in bed, my hand
And ring is yours; if not, the foul opinion
You had of her pure honour gains or loses
1245Your sword or mine, or masterless leaves both
To who shall find them.

Iachimo. Sir, my circumstances,
Being so near the truth as I will make them,
Must first induce you to believe: whose strength
1250I will confirm with oath; which, I doubt not,
You'll give me leave to spare, when you shall find
You need it not.

Iachimo. First, her bedchamber,—
1255Where, I confess, I slept not, but profess
Had that was well worth watching—it was hang'd
With tapesty of silk and silver; the story
Proud Cleopatra, when she met her Roman,
And Cydnus swell'd above the banks, or for
1260The press of boats or pride: a piece of work
So bravely done, so rich, that it did strive
In workmanship and value; which I wonder'd
Could be so rarely and exactly wrought,
Since the true life on't was—
1265

Posthumus Leonatus. This is true;
And this you might have heard of here, by me,
Or by some other.

Iachimo. The chimney
Is south the chamber, and the chimney-piece
Chaste Dian bathing: never saw I figures
1275So likely to report themselves: the cutter
Was as another nature, dumb; outwent her,
Motion and breath left out.

Posthumus Leonatus. This is a thing
Which you might from relation likewise reap,
1280Being, as it is, much spoke of.

Iachimo. The roof o' the chamber
With golden cherubins is fretted: her andirons—
I had forgot them—were two winking Cupids
Of silver, each on one foot standing, nicely
1285Depending on their brands.

Posthumus Leonatus. This is her honour!
Let it be granted you have seen all this—and praise
Be given to your remembrance—the description
Of what is in her chamber nothing saves
1290The wager you have laid.

Iachimo. Then, if you can,
[Showing the bracelet]Be pale: I beg but leave to air this jewel; see!
And now 'tis up again: it must be married
1295To that your diamond; I'll keep them.

Posthumus Leonatus. O, no, no, no! 'tis true. Here, take this too;
[Gives the ring]It is a basilisk unto mine eye,
1310Kills me to look on't. Let there be no honour
Where there is beauty; truth, where semblance; love,
Where there's another man: the vows of women
Of no more bondage be, to where they are made,
Than they are to their virtues; which is nothing.
1315O, above measure false!

Philario. Have patience, sir,
And take your ring again; 'tis not yet won:
It may be probable she lost it; or
Who knows if one of her women, being corrupted,
1320Hath stol'n it from her?

Posthumus Leonatus. Very true;
And so, I hope, he came by't. Back my ring:
Render to me some corporal sign about her,
More evident than this; for this was stolen.
1325

Posthumus Leonatus. Hark you, he swears; by Jupiter he swears.
'Tis true:—nay, keep the ring—'tis true: I am sure
She would not lose it: her attendants are
All sworn and honourable:—they induced to steal it!
1330And by a stranger!—No, he hath enjoyed her:
The cognizance of her incontinency
Is this: she hath bought the name of whore
thus dearly.
There, take thy hire; and all the fiends of hell
1335Divide themselves between you!

Philario. Sir, be patient:
This is not strong enough to be believed
Of one persuaded well of—

Iachimo. If you seek
For further satisfying, under her breast—
Worthy the pressing—lies a mole, right proud
Of that most delicate lodging: by my life,
1345I kiss'd it; and it gave me present hunger
To feed again, though full. You do remember
This stain upon her?

Posthumus Leonatus. Ay, and it doth confirm
Another stain, as big as hell can hold,
1350Were there no more but it.